Yesterday I completed my 3rd BMO half-marathon. Voted Vancouver’s best, the BMO Vancouver Half Marathon is an extremely fast course. From start to finish this race is top rate, taking you through different neighborhoods on your journey to the Finish Line. Chinatown to Yaletown, to the beautiful West End. You experience historic landmarks, breathtaking views, vibrant communities, and my personal favorite, thousands of spectators cheering you towards the finish line!
Read on for this years race review and personal highlight.
The half Marathon started at 7am on Sunday, May 6, 2018. The Start Line was located inside Queen Elizabeth Park, the race features a fast downhill start, and finished with an incredible downtown finish line stretch on West Pender Street.
What is included with Registration
- Race bib with built-in timing chip
- Technical t-shirt
- Commemorative finisher medal
- Free Health, Sports & Lifestyle Expo
Likes:
- Route – The fast downhill start and the high energy finish line have always been highlights for me.
- Fitness Expo- I love visiting the fitness expo, the atmosphere is positive and everyone is so excited. “Running” into old friends, and making new ones….it’s also an inspirational way to go into the race.
- Technical Shirt- A technical shirt is provided which makes for a great training shirt for future race as well as an economical addition to my teaching wardrobe. Tip: order a size smaller, I got a medium and its too big. 🙁
Dislikes:
- Hills – given my recent struggle with my Si joint and pelvis the hills were really tough for me. The one going into Chinatown physically hurt. This was alarming as I wasn’t even halfway through, thankfully the pain passed and I was able to settle into a rhythm until the tortuous Stanley Park hills. Once I get my SI and pelvis issues sorted out I have a lot of hill training in my future.
How did I do?
It wasn’t my personal best, and I didn’t make my yearly goal of 1:50:00, despite this I am happy with my time of 1:59:30. #Momlife duties and working full time made consistent training a challenge. Given my pelvic issues this half-marathon was the most challenging to date, but it was also the most rewarding.
Personal HIGHLIGHT:
We attended the free health, sports & lifestyle expo on the Saturday afternoon, where we meet the legendary John Stanton, founder of the Running Room. John asked me how my training had gone, and I shared some of my struggles. He shared with me that Kara Goucher ran a PR of 2:24:52 at the 2011 Boston Marathon seven months after giving birth. Paula Radcliffe won the 2007 New York City Marathon less than ten months after giving birth. And, Deena Kastor came back after a difficult pregnancy to take sixth at the 2012 U.S. Marathon Olympic Trials in 2012. Citing that many women have a longer stride length after childbirth due to more flexibility in their joints. Resulting in faster times. In addition to this, he said that the rigors of childbirth make women mentally tougher.
I took this information with me through my entire HALF-marathon. Every time I wanted to stop, my pelvis hurt, or my legs felt like lead, I thought of our conversation and of childbirth.
Crossing that finish-line is always an overwhelming and emotional feeling, having John Stanton present my medal after inspiring me through was incredible. You may not be able to tell by these pictures but I am holding back tears…and an incredible urge to give him a big sweaty hug. 😉
Would I do this again?
Absolutely see you next year!!!!
Wow, go you! I am not a runner so I’m impressed by anyone who can complete a half-marathon, let alone when they’re in physical pain. Congrats!
Thank you! It’s an incredible and addictive feeling. That’s for reading and taking the time to comment.
Great race recap! I have a chronic pain condition that has really affected me physically the last two years but I’m finally making some really good progress and one of my goals is to someday run in a marathon like this. Like you, I’d probably love the beginning with the cheering crowds and downhill start then have a super difficult time with the hills. And even though you didn’t make your goal, you still did so great and that’s so touching your experience with John Stanton – I’m glad he was able to inspire you!
Yes I recommend training for the hills. Thank you I am happy with my time and already thinking of my next race. Good luck with yours it’s a incredible feeling of accomplishment.
Well done on completing the marathon. You did a really awesome job even if you didn’t quite manage your yearly goal. Great job.
Thanks and thank you for taking the time to read and comment. I appreciate your time.
Congratulations! I think you made a great time! It’s amazing how you keep pushing on even when it is difficult or even painful.
What an amazing experience this sounds like! Good for you for completing the marathon, congrats! 🙂 A marvelous feat.
Congratulations on finishing! I can never imagine finishing a half marathon. I am not friends with running.
lol I like that…not friends with running.
Congratulations, this is a really great achievement! You worked extrmemly hard for this, I can only imagine how emotional it would have been to complete.
Wow you totally rock!!!It is absolutely awesome that you were able to do this event!!
Wow this is amazing! And the fact you will do it again next year – go you!
It’s addictive…not the feeling during but the feeling afterwards
Congratulations on competing in the BMO Vancouver Half Marathon and crossing the finish line! John Stanton gave you your medal, that must have been a mental boost. You must be very strong to have those medical issues and still prepare and compete.
It sounds like such an amazing marathon for you. It’s not always about times, but what you’ve learned. Love hearing that motherhood is an asset to your physical training.
This sounds like an awesome race, congrats on participating! I hope to run a marathon one day!
Such a nice post and it looks like a good marathon event for everyone. It was a great motivation to think about your childbirth when you feel struggles and want to stop during your race.